Monday, April 1, 2013

Teaching is Boring Right Now...

Not really.......but it's that time of year (Testing Season) and I just cannot seem to avoid the "teaching of the test."

In Texas, 3rd grade takes the STAAR Reading and Math test at the end of April.  In the weeks prior to the test, our district has us "bridging" to the STAAR and doing a LOT of practice reading passages.  After the first week I was bored out of my mind and I know that my kids were feeling it as well.  Unfortunately I really don't know of ways to make this part of the year more enjoyable.  Since this is my first year in 3rd grade I am really just trying to survive and do things the "district" way.  I'm hoping that next year I will be able to find ways to teach the same skills but using the reading passages as assessment only.

One thing I did find was this unit on TpT that I'm hoping to incorporate in the next couple of weeks:


It does a great job of discussing the "myths" about standardized tests, the strategies they should use, and what to expect on testing day.  I think that it will be a nice break for my kiddos and a way for them to show me what they have learned so far.

Hopefully I'll post an update in the next few weeks that is a review of this with some extra ideas!

2 comments:

  1. Oh! Thanks for sharing! I am officially done teaching until the fall when I start my student teaching thanks to THE TEST but I have found my last week so stressful. I need some good ideas to keep the kids (and me) calm during this high-stress time.

    Misty
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

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  2. Hi! I just found your blog through HBBD, they designed my blog too! I’m your newest follower!
    ✿Sue✿
    Science for Kids Blog

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